Sound-reproducing machine



June 3 1924- E. A. FARMER SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Feb. 4, 1922 June 3 1924. I 1,495,993

E. A. FARMER SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINE I Filed Feb 4, 1922 V 2Sheets-Sheet 2 a I a as 5 E5 F ll 5. 5 5

I 55 4! 42 V/l/l/l/l/A Elmzr/l Far/nah Patented June 3, 1924.

, ELMER A. FARMER, O'F MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA.

soomn-nnrnonooine MACHINE.

Application filed February 4, 1922. Serial No. 534,252.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER A. FARMER, of the city of Montreal, Provinceof Quebec, Dominion of Canada, a citizen of the United States, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Sound-ReproducinMachines; and I do hereby declare that t e following is a full, clear,and exact description thereof.

My invention has particular reference to the means for operating thesound reproducer proper and relates more particularly to this operatingmechanism of a gramophone.

It is not practical to drive a gramophone or other sound "reproducingmachine by a spring motor without a governor, for obvious reasons, andthe governor has been the principal source of troublegnor has it beenpractical to drive one of these machines as heretofore constructed byelectric power because of the-use of a motor of the commutator type withits attendant violent and noisy vibrations.

The object of my invention is to overcome these defects by employing adriving mechanism utilizing electric power without the necessity of acommutator; a further object being to eliminate the speed governor frommachines of this type.

To this end the invention consists of a friction disc on the shaft forcarrying the turn table, a roller in frictional engagement with thedisc, a constant speed motor and an operative connection between themotor and roller so arranged ancLthe' motor being so mounted that thevibrations of the latter are absorbed and the wear in the operativeconnection is automatically. taken up. More specifically stated theinvention consists of a friction disc 0 ratively connected -with thesound reprodi icing elements, and an electro-induction motor supportedby cushions to absorb the vibration thereof,'the operative connectionbetween the motor and disc being effected by a friction rollerrotatirely connected to the motor and variable in its radial positionrelatively to the disc. In order to take up the wear between. the rollerand disc I provide an off-center support for the motor for the purposeof utilizing the inherent tendency thereof to tilt and thereby maintaininvariable frictional contact between the roller and d sc.

the end of the motor shaft which is specially constructed for thepurpose.

Another feature of the invention is the particular means for providingthe cushioning support for the motor, this'preferably consists of ayielding resistance suspended from the frame of the'instrument andconnected to the motor at a point displaced from the vertical plane ofthe center of gravity of such motor; and I propose using as thisyielding resistance a air of expansile helical springs locatedrespectively above and below the motor connection and disposed in avertical line on the disc side ofthe vertical plane of the center ofgravity of the motor, these springs being held in supporting engagementwith the motor connection by a bolt suspended from the frame.

This particular cushioning means and the manner of tiltably supportingthe motor permit a motor of the induction type to be employed inconnection with a driving disc in direct communication therewith, theeffect being that constant speed may be obtained without the use of agovernor and an electric drive, without a commutator. And as is alsoimportant the entire driving mechanism and its regulator, with theexception of the top of the shaft for carrying the turntable and thetime indicator hand, are contained entirely within the usual chamber forthe driving mechanism. This particular construction and arrangement ofparts also has the advantage of constituting a noiseless drive for thesound reproducing elements.

For full comprehension, invention reference must be had to theaccompanying drawings in whichsimilar, referencecharacters indicate thesame parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view however, of my through agramophone case illustrating the turn table supporting shaft and myimproved driving mechanism in plan view;

' Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View .through a gramophone caseillustrating the igure 6 is a detail fragmentary elevatlon of the camshaft forming a part of the regulator mechanism;

Figure 7 'is a transverse sectional view taken on line 7--7 Figure 2 andillustrating particularly the cushioning excentric support for themotor; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the main frame of the mechanism,inverted.

I have illustrated my improved driving mechanism applied to agramophone. and will now specifically describe this particularapplication of the invention.

In order to mount my driving mechanism upon the underside of the hingedtop 5' or motor board of a gramophone I have designed a special framesecured to the motor board by screws 5 through cushions 5 in the form ofcomparatively thick washers of soft rubber. This frame consists of acasting comprising a main frame plate 6 with arms 7 and 8 and r abracket 9 cast integrally with the underside of one end of the frame.Each of the arms 7 and 8 has a boss indicated at 10, and 11respectively. These bosses support bolts 12 for suspending the motorthrough the medium of spring cushions. The motor case, indicated at 13has a pair of lateral lugs 14 disposed in a horizontal plane slightlyabove the axis of the motor as indicated in .Fi ure 7 and slightlynearer the turn table s aft than the center of gravity of the motor asshown in Fig. 2. These lugs are each provided with an opening 15 oflarger diameter relatively to the bolts 12 and the top and. bottomsurfaces of the lugs are recessed as at 16 to form seats for expansilehelical springs 17 the opposite ends of which are seated in recesses 18in the underside of the arms 7 and 8 of the frame and in the top surfaceof supporting nuts 20 screwed onto the lower ends of the bolts 12. Themotor mounted in this case 13 is of the induction type as will bepresently further alluded to. The motor shaft, indicated at 21, carriesat its outer end and in rotative relation therewith, and longitudinallymovable thereon, a friction roller 22 adapted to bear upon the undersideof a friction disc 23. This disc is mounted upon the shaft 24 of theturn table 25. This turn table is of usual construction, and the shafthas the usual conical tip 26 upon which the turn table is removablyseated. In order to provide an end-thrustbearing for the shaft 24 theframe 6 has a boss 27 through which the shaft projects and such boss isformed with a conical bearing 30 oiled as usual by an oil soaked feltwasher and the'shaft has a conical shoulder 31 seated in the bearing 30.The lower end of this shaft is reduced in diameter and screwthreaded asat 32 and the friction driving disc 23 is mounted rigidly thereon bymeans of clamping washers 33 and clamping nut 34. A. ball and socketbearing between the lower end of the shaft and the bracketis provided byan end-thrust-bearing screw 35 presenting a socket 36 and the spheroidalend 37 of the shaft, the screw 35 being threaded through the bracket andlocked 1n place by a lock nut 38.

The points of sus ension of the motor case, and the motor within it,imparts to the same a tendency to tilt the friction roller 22 upwardlyand thereb causing it to be autoand consequently the time of the musicor other sounds reproduced. To effect this the end of the motor shaftcarrying the friction roller has an axial boring 40 and carries a sleeve41 slotted as at 42 and having one end closed to present a trunnion 43upon which the roller 22 is mounted and clamped rigidly in place by awasher-45 and clamping nut 46. The protruding end 50 of this shaft isofspheroidal form to permit of endthrust action with lninin'iumfriction. An expansile helical spring 51 located in the boring 40, bearsbetween the inner end thereof and the closed end of the sleeve. Thisspring imparts to the sleeve a tendency to move axially in a verticalplane radially to the disc 23, and the length of the slot 42 confinesthe extent of this movement to the lil) Cal

and having a shoulder 63 at its lower end between wh1ch and the frame anexpansile spring 64 bears. The purpose of this spring is to offer ayielding resistance to the adjustment of the re ulator hand in orderthat it will be held yleldingly in any position to which it may bemoved. This shoulder 63 is presented by the upper end of a cam 65illustrated in detail in Figures 5 and 6. A bell crank lever 70fulcrumed on a boss 7 2 cast on the underside of the frame 6, has onearm 73 projecting across the cam to be operated thereby and the otherarm 74 projects into position to engage and be engaged by the spheroidalend of the motor shaft. The cam is of substantially semi-circular form.The axial expansile force of spring 51 causes the end of the shaft 21 toexert pressure in projection from the shaft against ment of theregulator hand Without lost Operation.

In the operation of my improved sound reproducing mechanism the turntable carrylng the record is driven noiselessly and at a uniform speedregulated to render the music Whether instrumental or vocal or othersounds at any desired time within reasonable limits. The record is asusual placed upon the turn table and the motor circuit is closed byswitch 80. The rotation of the roller throu h its shaft 21 rotates thedisc 23 at a spee which is regulated by the movement of the rolleraxially relatively to the disc. The .operative connection is to allintents and purposes direct and noiseless and, because of the use of aninduction typemotor the speed is uniform. The vibrations of this motorare absorbed by the springs 16 and 17 and the cushions 5".

The movement of the regulator hand 60 turns the shaft 62 against theresistance of the spring 64 thereby causing the cam 65 to move the bellcrank lever through its arm 73 as, for instance, indicated in Figure 5by dotted lines. This movement is transmitted to the movable end 50 ofshaft 21, if the movement is in a direction towards that shaft, if,however, the movement is in to move with the bell crank lever. In thismanner the adjustment of the time at which the music is rendered orother sounds reproduced is efi'ected by direct connection without lostmotion, and minute variation may be instantly efiected.

In sound reproducing machines such as illustrated the sound reproducingelements proper are the record and needle, the sound reproduced from therecord by the needle being amplified by the sound box, the arm and thehorn the latter being either concealed or exposed. These elements formno part of my invention and as they are well known and may be of anypreferred construction they are neither illustrated nor described.

What I claim is as follows:

1. In a sound reproducing machine, a frame, a shaft vertically mountedtherein, a

turntable supported upon said shaft, a motor, a friction drive betweensaid motor and shaft, means for resiliently suspending the motor fromthe frame, the points of connec tion of the said means to the motorbeing 10- cated on opposite sides of the motor and adjacent its shaftend for the purpose of utilizin the weight of the motor in maintaing thefriction elements in relative engagement.

2. In a sound reproducing machine'of the type having a chamber for thedriving mechanism, a top for thechamber, a frame rigidly upon the top,and a shaft within the chamber and protruding through the top forsupporting one of the sound reproducing elements, of a friction drivingdisc mounted upon the shaft within the chamber, a friction roller inrotative engagement with the disc, and a motor for driving the rollerand carried yieldingly by the frame and within the chamber, means forsupporting the motor in-the manner to utilize the weight thereof in,maintaining the rotative engagement between the roller and disc, saidlast mentioned means consisting of suspension devices extending betweenthe frame and motor with the points of connection to the latter locatedto one side of the centre of gravity of the. motor.

3. In a soundreproducmg machine a turntable, a frame, an induction motorfor driving said turntable, and means for suspend ing the motor from theframe and adapted to absorb the vibrations of the motor, said meansconsisting of lugs on opposite sides of the motor and located to oneside of the center of gravity of the motor each lug having an opening,bolts extending downwardly from the frame through the lugs and havingspring seats at their lower ends. springs bearing between the frame andthe ln s and encircling the bolts, and indepen ent springs bearingbetween the lugs and the seats on the lower ends of the bolts andencircling said bolts.

4. 'In' a sound reproducing machine a turntable, a frame, a motor havinga shaft,

' opening, bolts extending downwardly from the frame through the lugsand having threaded lower ends, nuts adjustable upon said ends,springsbearing between the frame and lugs and encircling the bolts, andindependent springs bearing between the lugs and nuts and encircling thebolts.

5. In a sound reproducing machine of the type having a chamber for thedriving mechanism, a top for the chamber and a shaft within the chamberand protruding through the top for carrying one of the sound reproducingelements, of a friction driving disc mounted upon the shaft within thechamber, a motor flexibly mounted off-center and havin a shaftprojecting to close proximity witi the disc, a friction roller, meanseffecting, a rotative engagement between the shaft and roller andprojecting the roller into frictional engagement with the disc, suchmeans consisting of a sleeve slidable axially upon the shaft andcarrying the roller, means for limiting the extent of axial movement ofthe sleeve and for efi'ecting rotative engagement therebetween and theshaft and manually operated means for moving the sleeve.

6. In a sound reproducing machine of the type having a chamber for thedriving mechanism, a top for the chamber and a shaft within the chamberand protruding through the top for carrying one of the sound reproducingelements, of a friction driving disc mounted upon the shaft within thechamber, a motor flexibly mounted ofi'-center and having a shaftprojecting to within close proximity with the disc, a friction roller,means effecting a rotative engagement between the shaft and roller andprojecting the roller into frictional engagement with the disc,consisting of a sleeve slidable axially upon the shaft and carrying theroller, a spring between the end of the shaft and the sleeve and tendingto move the sleeve axially along the shaft, means for limiting theextent of axial movement of the sleeve and for efi'ecting rota tiveengagement therebetween and the shaft and manually operated means formoving the sleeve, said last mentioned means consisting of a shaftcarried by the top of the chamber and protruding through the messessame, a regulator hand carried by the last mentioned shaft and manuallymovable, a cam upon the end of this last mentioned shaft, a bell-cranklever having one end in engagement with the cam and means eifecting anoperative engagement between the opposite end of the bell crank leverand the sleeve.

7. In a sound reproducing machine of the type having a chamber for thedriving mechanism, a top for the chamber and a shaft within the chamberand protruding through the top for carrying one of the sound reproducingelements, of a friction driving disc mounted u on the shaft within thechamber, a motor flexi 1y mounted off-center and having a shaftprojecting to close proximity with the disc, a friction roller, meanseffecting a rotative engagement between the shaft and carried by thelast mentioned shaft and manually movable, a cam upon this lastmentioned shaft, a bell crank lever having one end in engagement withthe cam and means efl'ecting an operative engagement between theopposite end of the bell crank lever and the sleeve, the said lastmentioned operative connection consisting of a spring bearing betweenthe shaft and sleeve and causing the latter to bear upon the end of thebell-crank lever.

8. In a sound reproducing machine of the type having a chamber for thedriving mechanism, a top for the chamber and a shaft within the chamberand protruding through the top for carrying one of the sound reproducingelements, of a friction driving disc mounted upon the shaft within thechamber, a motor flexibly mounted offcenter and having a shaftprojecting'to close proximity with the disc, a friction roller, arotative engagement between the shaft and roller and projecting theroller into frictional engagement. with the disc consisting of a sleeveslidable axially upon the shaft and carrying the roller, means forlimiting the extent of axial movement of the sleeve and for efi'ectingrotative engagement there between and the shaft and manually operatedmeans for moving the sleeve, said last mentioned means consisting of ashaft carried by the top of the'chambel' and protruding through thesame, a regulator hand carried by the last mentioned shaft and manuallymovable, a cam upon the lower end of this last mentioned shaft, a bellcrank lever having one end in engagement with the cam and meansefiecting an operative engagement between the opposite end of the bellcrank lever and the sleeve, the said last mentioned operative connectionconsisting of a spring bearing between the shaft and sleeve and causingthe latter to bear upon the end of the bell crank lever and a springyieldingly resisting rotation of the lator shaft.

9. In a sound reproducing machine of the type having a chamber for thedriving mechanism, atop for the chamber and a shaft within the chamberand protruding through the top for supporting one of the soundreproducing elements, of a friction driving disc mounted upon the shaftwithin the chamber, a friction roller in rotative engagement with thedisc, a motor for driving the roller, means for supporting the motor ina manner to utilize gravity in maintaining the rotative engagementbetween the roller and disc consisting of 'a frame secured to theunderside of the top of the chamber, a pair of lugs extending fromopposite sides said reguof the motor slightly above the horizontal planeof the axis thereof and slightly nearer the disc than the vertical planeof the center of gravity of the motor, the said lugs having relativelylarge openings, bolts suspended from the frame and passing through theopenings in the lugs, upper expansile helical springs encircling thebolts and bearing between the frame and' the lugs, nuts upon the lowerends of the bolts, and lower expansile helical springs bearing'bet-weenthe nuts and the lugs, for the purpose of absorbing vibration in thesaid motor supporting means.

10. In a sound reproducing machine a turntable mounted upon a shaft, amotor having a shaft and a friction drive between the motor shaft andthe turntable, said drive consisting of a friction disc of comparativelylarge diameter mounted upon the turntable shaft; a sleeve mounted uponsaid motor shaft and rotatable in unison therewith and slidable axiallythereon; means limiting" axial movement of the sleeve upon said shaft;resilient means for yieldingly maintaining the sleeve at one end of itsaxial travel upon said shaft and a friction roller carried by saidsleeve and rotatable therewith and in engagement with said disc, andmeans for moving said roller and sleeve axially upon the motor shaft andradially relatively to the disc.

11. In a sound reproducing machine a turntable mounted upon a shaft, amotor having a shaft and a friction drive between the motor shaft andthe turntable, said drive consisting of a friction disc of comparativelylar e diameter mounted upon the turntable sha a sleeve mounted upon saidmotor shaft and rotatable in unison therewith and slidable axiallythereon means limiting axial movement of the sleeve upon said shaft;resilient means for yieldingly maintaining the sleeve at one end of itsaxial travel upon said shaft, and a friction roller carried by saidsleeve and rotatable therewith and in engagement with said disc, andmeans for moving said roller and sleeve axially upon the motor shaft andradially relatively to the disc, said means consisting of a shaft; amanually operated regulator mounted upon said shaft; a cam upon saidshaft; a bell crank lever having one end in engagement with the cam andhaving its opposite end operatively connected to the sleeve.

12. In a sound reproducing machine a vertical turntable shaft; aturntable adapted to be mounted upon the upper end of said shaft; amotor having a shaft, a friction drive between the motor shaft and theturntable shaft consisting of a friction disc of comparatively largediameter mounted upon the lower end of the turntable shaft, and a rolleradapted to be driven by the motor shaft and in engagement with saiddisc, and means effecting rotative connection between the roller and theroller shaft and adapted to permit of axial movement of the rollerthereon ,for the purpose of permitting adjustment of the speed ofrotation of the turntable, said means consisting of a socket in the freeend of the motor shaft; a sleeve having a closed end mounted upon saidfree end and having a slot therein; a pin rigidly carried by the motorshaft and projecting into said slot; a spring contained within saidsocket and. hearing between the closed end of the sleeve and the innerend of the socket, said sleeve carrying a roller and means for adjustingthe sleeve axially upon the motor shaft and radially relatively to thedisc.

13. In a sound reproducing machine a vertical turntable shaft; aturntable adapted to be mounted upon the u per end of said shaft; amotor having a 5181:), a friction drive between the motorshaft and theturntable shaft consisting of a friction disc of comparatively largediameter mounted upon the lower end of the turntable shaft, and a rolleradapted to be driven by the motor shaft and in engagement with saiddisc, and means effecting rotative connection between the roller and theroller shaft and adapted to permit of axial movement of the rollerthereon for the purpose of permitting adjustment of the speed ofrotation of theturntable, said means consisting of a socket in the freeend ofthe motor shaft; a sleeve carrying the roller and having a closedend mounted upon said free end and having a slot therein;a pin rigidlycarried b the motor shaft and projecting into said slbt; a sprincontained within said socket and bearing etween the closed end of theEll hill

- the chamber and protrudin sleeve and the inner end of the socket, andmeans for adjusting the sleeve axially upon the motor shaft and radiallyrelatively to the disc.

14. In a sound reproducing machine of the type having a chamber for thedriving mechanism, a top for the chamber and a shaft within the chamberand protruding through the top for carrying one of the sound reproducingelements, of a friction driving disc mounted u on the shaft within thechamber, a motor exibly mounted offcenter and having a shaft projectingto close proximity with the disc a friction roller, a rotativeengagement between the shaft and roller and projecting the roller intofrictional engagement with the disc, such means consisting of a sleeveslidable axially upon the shaft and carrying the roller, means forlimiting the extent of axial movement of the sleeve and for effectingrotative engagement therebetween and the shaft and manually operatedmeans for moving the sleeve.

15. In a sound reproducing machine of the type having a chamber for thedriving mechanism, a top for the chamber and a shaft within the chamberand protruding through the top for carrying one of the sound re roducingelements, of a friction driving the chamber, a motor flexibly mounted0E- centerand having a shaft projecting to close proximity with thedisc, afriction roller, a rotative engagement between the shaft androller and projecting the roller into frictional engagement with thedisc, consisting of a sleeve slidable axially upon the shaft andcarrying the roller a spring between the end of the shaft and the sleeveand tending to move the sleeve'axially along the shaft, means forlimiting the extent of axial movement of the sleeve and for effectingrotative engagement therebetween and the shaft and manually operatedmeans for moving the sleeve, said last mentioned means consisting of ashaft carried by the top of through the same, a regulator hand carrie bythe top of the last mentioned shaft and'manually movable, a cam upon thelower end of this last mentioned shaft, a bell crank lever having oneend in engagement with the cam and means eflecting an operativeengagement between the opposite end of the lever and the sleeve.

16.".[n a sound reproducing machine, of the type having a chamber forthe driving mechanism, a top for the chamber and a shaft within thechamber and protruding through the top for carrying one of the sound reroducmg elements, of a friction driving isc mounted upon the shaftwithin the chamber, a motor flexibly mounted oficenter and having ashaft projecting to isc mounted upon the shaft within.

bell crank acetate close proximity with the disc, a friction roller, arotative engagement between the shaft and roller and projecting theroller into frictional engagement with the disc consisting of a sleeveslidable axially upon the shaft and carrying the roller, means forlimiting the extent of axial movement of the sleeve and for efi'ectingrotative engagement therebetween and the shaft and manually operatedmeans for moving the sleeve, said last mentioned means consisting of ashaft carried by the. top of the chamber and protruding through thesame, a regulator hand carried by the top of the last mentioned shaftand manually movable, a cam upon the lower end of this last mentionedshaft, a bell crank lever having one end in engagement with the cam andmeans effecting an operative engagement between the opposite end of thebellcrank lever and the sleeve, the said last mentioned operativeconnection consisting of a spring bearing between the shaft and sleeveand causing the latter to bear upon the end of the bell crank lever.

17. In a sound reproducing machine of the type having a chamber for thedriving mechanism, a top for the chamber and a shaft within the chamberand protruding through the top for carrying one of the sound reproducingelements, of a friction driving disc mounted upon the shaft within thechamber, a motor flexibly mounted odcenter and having a shaft projectingto close proximit with the disc, a friction roller, a rotativeengagement between the shaft and roller and projecting the roller intofrictional engagement with the disc consisting of a sleeve slidableaxially upon the shaft and carrying the roller, means for limiting theextent of axial movement of the sleeve and for efiecting rotativeengagement therebetween and the shaft and manually operated means formoving the sleeve, said last mentioned means consisting of a shaftcarried by the top of the chamber and protruding through the same, aregulator hand carried by the top of the last mentioned shaft andmanually movable, a cam 11 on the lower end of this last mentioned saft, a-

bell crank lever having one end in engagement with the cam and meansefl'ecting an operative engagement between the opposite end of the bellcrank lever and the sleeve, the said last mentioned operative connectionconsisting of a spring bearing between the shaft and sleeve and causingthe latter to bear upon the end of the bell crank lever and a s ringyieldingly resisting rotation of the sai regulator shaft.

18. In a sound reproducing machine of the type having a chamber for thedriving mechanism, a top for the chamber and a shaft within the chamberand protruding through the top for supporting one of the soundreproducing elements, of a friction 1 0 driving disc mounted upon theshaft within the chamber, a friction roller in rotative engagement withthe disc, a motor for driving the roller, means for supporting the motorin a manner to utilize gravity in maintaining the rotative engagementbetween the roller and disc consisting of a frame secured to theunderside of the top of the chamber, a pair of lugs extending fromoppositesides of the motor slightly above the horizontal plane of theaxis thereof and slightly nearer the disc than the vertical plane of thecenter of gravity of the motor, the said lugs having relatively largeopenings, bolts 1 suspended from the frame and passing through theopenings in the lugs, upper expansile helical springs encircling the,bolts and bearing between the frame and the lugs, nuts upon the lowerends of the bolts, and lower expansile helical spring hearing betweenthe nuts and the'lugs, for the purpose of absorbing vibration in thesaid motor supporting means. i

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two witnesses.

' ELMER A. FARMER. Witnesses:

GORDON G. CooKE, HARRIETTE MCDONALD.

